Learning to drive.Any tips?

Don't do this or your head might explode, it's like dividing by zero.
Epic fail, I should read what I write before pressing the reply button. Lets just say you should assume other drivers aren't always concentrating, but never assume they are going to do what you expect them to do.
 
i feel very nervous when im on the road but i drove the car back to my house by myself the last time and thats kinda boosted my confidence a bit.

Next week its 3 point turns im learning,scary!:eek:

That first part is a bit :/

What exactly do you mean drove the car back to the house "by yourself"?

Three point turns are probably THE easiest maneuver, btw.
 
My advice, ask your instructor to take you to a car park for the first 20 mins of your first lesson.

When you start out on the roads for your first lesson, it can be so nerving. This will remove that, whilst you just get used to the car it's self.
 
That first part is a bit :/

What exactly do you mean drove the car back to the house "by yourself"?

Three point turns are probably THE easiest maneuver, btw.

Your instructor is using the wrong word, they are known as 'Turn in the road' nowadays. You can complete the turn in as many 'points' as you want, as long as you have complete control of the vehicle and don't hit the curb/anything.
 
chill, don't stress, keep checking mirrors and dials. i would not try your idea with a mate as switching between car types can throw you sometimes.

failing that blackmail the examiners to pass
 
Mirrors, Signal, Manoevre.

Take it slow and always stick to 30 unless otherwise stated by road markings, signs or your instructor.

Your first 7-10 lessons (on average) will be mastering the clutch, once you don't have to think about the clutch and gear changes you can fully concentrate on the latter objective such as road markings, other road users, driving in different conditions, becoming near perfect in left reverse/parallel parking/emergency stop/bay parking.

Did my test in 20 lessons and lots of private practise in my old mans car, are you learning in a petrol or diesel?
 
chill, don't stress, keep checking mirrors and dials. i would not try your idea with a mate as switching between car types can throw you sometimes.

failing that blackmail the examiners to pass

Makes sense about the different car thing,point taken.The one im learning in right now is a small BMW,dont know what type but u have to push the clutch down and then a little button on the dashboard to start it up. I've noticed that i keep catching my foot on the little foot-rest bit next to the clutch when trying to change gears and it can become a little distracting to move it more to the right for some reason(was gonna lol again but i caught myself!:p)

The instructor says he has a guy who should be doing his test soon so when he has a free slot he can give me a double slot on his timetable,probly just better waiting for that opertunity. He says he's been doing this job for 7 years and only had one person fail on him so i hope im not number 2!
 
Mirrors, Signal, Manoevre.

Take it slow and always stick to 30 unless otherwise stated by road markings, signs or your instructor.

Your first 7-10 lessons (on average) will be mastering the clutch, once you don't have to think about the clutch and gear changes you can fully concentrate on the latter objective such as road markings, other road users, driving in different conditions, becoming near perfect in left reverse/parallel parking/emergency stop/bay parking.

Did my test in 20 lessons and lots of private practise in my old mans car, are you learning in a petrol or diesel?

TBH i really dont know if its petrol or deisel,i need to brush up on my car knowledge now so i dont look like a noob :o The engine doesnt sound odd or anything just sounds like a standard engine,not like a police van or anything so if i was to guess id say petrol,its a small BMW.
 
On the assumption that eventually you pass the test.

1) Welcome, you are now learning to drive
2) there is no "fast lane"
3) keep left where possible
4) learn to read the big blue signs that tell you when you can and cannot use bus lanes.
5) Everyone is an idiot until they prove otherwise
6) Use your indicators. Please. Don't become one of the many who bought a car without them
7) Fog lights are for fog, not to look cool

Good luck :)

Have you got a theory test booked yet?
 
Get a decent instructor and don't crash?
kd

Yeah i always keep that one at the front of my mind"dont crash!":eek:

I always assumed that because im a gamer who enjoys racing games that id be zooming around like a maniac unable to resist the urge to do a bit of a Collin McRae(the media always says stuff like this about young first time drivers who played games) but its amazing how different it is in real life when you've got real consequences to your actions!
I guess the reality sets in once you sit behind the steering wheel of a car for the first time that this could be a life changing experience in a good way(more freedom and opertunities and just easy to get around in general),but also in a bad BAD way if your a total n*b end,like you could destroy somebodys life if you dont pay attention/show off and wreck a whole family unit in the proccess.
Im always going to keep those first thoughts and feelings fresh in my mind and never become some sort of show off,as i said earlier in the thread one of my friends almost killed us all in his car by being a total w*nker and i almost saw a friend kill himself on a motorbike by trying to emulate the actions of John Connor from the terminator lol.(that lol was deserved:p) Thats the only warning i need! better to learn from others mistake whenever possable!
 
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On the assumption that eventually you pass the test.

1) Welcome, you are now learning to drive
2) there is no "fast lane"
3) keep left where possible
4) learn to read the big blue signs that tell you when you can and cannot use bus lanes.
5) Everyone is an idiot until they prove otherwise
6) Use your indicators. Please. Don't become one of the many who bought a car without them
7) Fog lights are for fog, not to look cool

Good luck :)

Have you got a theory test booked yet?

No test booked yet i was going to practice with the online material my instructor sent me via email from some online driving school and just keep going for lessons untill i feel comfortable enough to sit my theory test. I guess my instructor will let me know when im ready,i think he's really good,the way he explains stuff just sinks right into my mind,i was worried it would go in one ear and out the other as thats what im like tbh but i've been doing well so far,but its only the beggning so things might change later :D

5) Everyone is an idiot until they prove otherwise ( i dont understand this one?)
 
5) Everyone is an idiot until they prove otherwise ( i dont understand this one?)

You will learn this very quickly. Basically people are stupid and do stupid things and for some reason automobiles amplify this. I.e people pulling out, cutting up, sudden braking, swerving, not using mirrors, not signalling etc... The list goes on and without including pedestrians.
 
Second tip.

Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre and don't crash.

Third tip.

Have a double scotch before the driving test. :p

and be overly dramatic when you do those too... you can actually do them without moving your head but apparently normal people cant so the examiner thinks you arent doing it right...

another tip: dont wear driving gloves on the test... that gets frowned upon :)
 
No test booked yet i was going to practice with the online material my instructor sent me via email from some online driving school and just keep going for lessons untill i feel comfortable enough to sit my theory test. I guess my instructor will let me know when im ready,i think he's really good,the way he explains stuff just sinks right into my mind,i was worried it would go in one ear and out the other as thats what im like tbh but i've been doing well so far,but its only the beggning so things might change later :D

5) Everyone is an idiot until they prove otherwise ( i dont understand this one?)

I just meant as a few others have already said about other drivers. You have to assume that they all want to pull out on you, indicate wrong, generally drive badly or in a way which might cause you harm.

Most of the time that doesn't entail you doing anything at all, but just being aware is important.

You are going to see people in the left lane at a roundabout take the 3rd exit (going right) with no indicators.
You are going to see people pull into a left/right turn only lane at a set of lights and go straight over maybe where there isn't room for two cars to go through side by side.
You are going to have people sitting on your bumper while you do 35 in a 30 who will zoom around a blind corner just to get 50 yards down the road.

All of which have the potential to cause an accident, none of which would be your fault, but all of which you just don't want to have in the first place.

So assume that everyone on the road knows as much about driving as you do right now.
 
Yeah i always keep that one at the front of my mind"dont crash!":eek:

I always assumed that because im a gamer who enjoys racing games that id be zooming around like a maniac unable to resist the urge to do a bit of a Collin McRae(the media always says stuff like this about young first time drivers who played games) but its amazing how different it is in real life when you've got real consequences to your actions!
I guess the reality sets in once you sit behind the steering wheel of a car for the first time that this could be a life changing experience in a good way(more freedom and opertunities and just easy to get around in general),but also in a bad BAD way if your a total n*b end,like you could destroy somebodys life if you dont pay attention/show off and wreck a whole family unit in the proccess.
Im always going to keep those first thoughts and feelings fresh in my mind and never become some sort of show off,as i said earlier in the thread one of my friends almost killed us all in his car by being a total w*nker and i almost saw a friend kill himself on a motorbike by trying to emulate the actions of John Connor from the terminator lol.(that lol was deserved:p) Thats the only warning i need! better to learn from others mistake whenever possable!

nice 1 on proving the daily fail etc talk rubbish. normal people can differentiate between games and reality :)

it will still take you years before you become a 'good' driver. the problem when you are young is that you are more cocky and sure of yourself than you should be.
 
I just meant as a few others have already said about other drivers. You have to assume that they all want to pull out on you, indicate wrong, generally drive badly or in a way which might cause you harm.

Most of the time that doesn't entail you doing anything at all, but just being aware is important.

You are going to see people in the left lane at a roundabout take the 3rd exit (going right) with no indicators.
You are going to see people pull into a left/right turn only lane at a set of lights and go straight over maybe where there isn't room for two cars to go through side by side.
You are going to have people sitting on your bumper while you do 35 in a 30 who will zoom around a blind corner just to get 50 yards down the road.

All of which have the potential to cause an accident, none of which would be your fault, but all of which you just don't want to have in the first place.

So assume that everyone on the road knows as much about driving as you do right now.

its an important fact that 90% of drivers dont seem to know when to indicate. they often signal and dont do it - or do it without signalling. roundabouts can be a nightmare as a lot of people dont seem to know how to use them.

also many drivers will be more forgiving to a learner with plates on. when they come off they assume you have been driving for 20 years and can be idiots.
 
nice 1 on proving the daily fail etc talk rubbish. normal people can differentiate between games and reality :)

Yeah thats always p**sed me off since i was young,people saying that violent games make you a psychopath and all sorts of other weird assumptions like playing driving games makes you think your invincable on the road and drive like a joy-rider:rolleyes: According to them i should be running around doing GTA/CSS/Street Fighter moves in real life when im out and about since i've played games since i was a kid:D

Maybe its different for me since im almost 30(sometimes i forget:o) im wondering if i was 17 and learning to drive would i fit the stereotype the media portrays? TBH i think id still be as carefull and aware of the dangers as i am now,idiots exist and thats just life. A games not going to alter that fact.
 
its an important fact that 90% of drivers dont seem to know when to indicate. they often signal and dont do it - or do it without signalling.

The last lesson i had some guy did exactly that,he had his indicators on as if he was going to turn right into a corner driving up the middle lane of the road with the white lines on it then he decided to just steer left into my path without indicating to the left( i was a decent distance behind him though so wasnt too bad for me just made me think wtf lol) and continued driving up the road the whole way with his right indicators on and at the end of the road he turned left at the T-junction and just turned them off altogether:eek:
 
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